Prologue

“So when are you and John going to give me grandbabies?” The speaker was an older woman in her mid to late fifties. Her hair still dark with just a touch of gray beginning to show, her eyes filled with a merry twinkle as she talked to her daughter-in-law.

“Si, Carmina babies are a blessing for any family.” An older version of the first woman said, her hair was a healthy silvery white with age and though stooped, her powerful personality seemed to radiate around the room. Her eyes were bright and seemed to perceive everything around her.

“Momma, it's not so easy as that,” She sighed. “John and I have been talking and well trying.” She said with a smirk as she put a few more stitches into the quilt that lay between them. “It’s hard though.”

“So, don’t try, just do.” Her mother said while her grandmother nodded her head vigorously as she laid out cloth pieces on the side.

“I tell you what. I cast a spell for you.” The grandmother said as she stood and shambled over to her voluminous leather purse.

“Mama, you carry that in your purse?”

“Si.” The old woman rummaged in her purse pulling out various vials, bags, bottles with contents that rattled and sloshed. Though neither of the women seemed surprised when she pulled out a knife nor when she produced an old revolver well worn with age. “That and more, never know when they need the aid of a bruja. Ah, here it is.” The old woman said pulling out a vial with a single flower in it. “With this, we make you fertile.”

Carmina gave a week smile. “Thank you, Gran, it’s more complicated than just a flower.” And sighed as she realized the futility of her objections. She knew the old woman would do as she would, the old woman was like a force of nature.

“Nothing is too complicated for magic.” She said then started her spell, the flower sat in her hand and at the end of the incantation brandished it at her granddaughter. As she did, the flower turned to powder and flew toward the young woman disappearing into sparkling motes around her. “Tell us what do you wish a boy or a girl?”

“If I wish, I wish for many happy and healthy children.” Carmina gave a sad smile. The grandmother's eyes glinted of mischief.

At those words, the grandmother sucked in her breath but then nodded. “May it be reinita.” She reached out her wrinkled hand and brushed it across Carmina’s cheek. “May it be.”